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Career

Sammartino was trained by his father and debuted in 1980. Throughout 1981, Sammartino feuded with Larry Zbyszko (who had engaged in a bitter feud with Bruno Sammartino throughout 1980) on the independent circuit.

World Wrestling Federation (1984-1985)

Sammartino joined the World Wrestling Federation in September 1984, with his father as his manager. His most notable appearance with the WWF was at the inaugural WrestleMania event in Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on March 31, 1985. Accompanied by Bruno, Sammartino wrestled Brutus Beefcake in the fourth match of the night. The match ended in a double disqualification after Sammartino was thrown out of the ring by Beefcake and slammed by Beefcake's manager Johnny Valiant, prompting Bruno Sammartino to assault Valiant. Sammartino was later fired from the WWF after he was arrested for punching a fan who spat at him in New York. Bruno Sammartino later speculated that the fan was a plant hired by WWF owner Vince McMahon to provoke Sammartino in order to give the WWF an excuse to terminate his contract.